What is Pilates?

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a body conditioning system that improves muscle tone, balances musculature, builds flexibility and muscle strength, as well as increases endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. It supports correct posture, and teaches us to move with ease and grace. The Pilates system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advance. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises.

A refreshing mind-body workout.

By emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on smooth, flowing movement, you become acutely in tune with your body. You actually learn how to control its movement. In Pilates the quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Proper breathing is essential, and helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency. Last but not least, learning to breathe properly can reduce stress.

Develop a fitter core, flatter abdominals, and a stronger back.

Pilates exercises develop a strong “core,” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Control of the core is achieved by integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle.

Gain long, lean muscles and flexibility.

More conventional or traditional workouts are weight bearing and tend to build short, bulky muscles – the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.

In the same vein, a lot of these same conventional workouts tend to work the same muscles. This leads to weak muscles getting weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance – a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain.

Pilates conditions the whole body, even the ankles and feet. No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease, better performance and less chance of injury. That’s why so many professional sports teams and elite athletes now use Pilates as a critical part of their training regimen.

Pilates Plus is a fully equipped Pilates studio. Our studio is an intimate and peaceful environment that lets you enjoy your workout, while challenging your body and revitalizing your mind. Our experienced Pilates instructors are professionally trained in Pilates techniques, classes, and equipment; while being vested in your well-being and fitness. We can work with you one-on-one in our private classes to develop a personalized program that addresses your health and fitness goals and help to optimize your fitness regimen. We also limit the number of participants in our group classes so that everyone can receive personalized attention as needed. If you are ready for a different type of exercise class, Schedule A Pilates Class by calling 304-389-1195 or by Scheduling A Class Online.